Christmas magic for good children across Wealden

Wealden’s towns and villages have lined up some sparkling ways to launch Christmas this year.

The Heathfield and Disitrict Chamber of Trade and Commerce are staging their annual Christmas fun day on Saturday, November 24.

Father Christmas begins his visit to the county by arriving in the Co-op car park at 10am, goes walkabout in the town then meets good children in his grotto in William Hill Interiors. At 4pm children from Parkside Primary School sing carols and the High Street lights are switched on to illuminate the town for the whole of the Christmas period.

A window competition is being organised for the Chestnut Tree Children’s Hospice.

November 30 sees Crowborough in party mood. Father Christmas’s sleigh arrives in the town centre at 4pm. He makes his way to the Christmas grotto in the Town Hall where there’s family entertainment including fairground rides, magicians and street entertainment. Lights go on at 6pm.

On December 2, Mayfield becomes even more magical with carol singing by children from Mayfield Primary School from 4.45pm. Next comes music from the Mayfield Silver Band and the choir of St Dunstan’s Church. If you’re hungry or thirsty (or both,) sate your appetite with a hog roast, chestnuts and lots of festive drinks supplied by village shops late into the evening.

Children can collect entry forms from Dark Horse Gallery so they can take part in a treasure hunt.

There’ll also be a free bus service.

Uckfield puts on its party hat on on Friday, December 9 when shops open until 9pm manned by staff in fancy dress.

Father Christmas arrives with his sleigh at Bridge Cottage where children can tell him what they’d like in their stockings. There will be a hog roast, chance to pose for a Nativity picture (organised by the Baptist Church) and the famous Uckfield FM stage where children from primary schools sing carols and holiday songs.

The King’s Church takes over Elizabeth Gardens with a live Nativity and there will also be plenty of story telling, puppet shows, children’s crafts and refreshments.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice is holding a competition in the town where children can win a prize if they track down stars in shop windows.